Alabama Crimson Tide stalwart Charles Bediako‘s return to college basketball was explosive, but onlookers chose to call out the decision makers of the sport. On Saturday, Jan. 24, coach Nate Oats’ 2025-26 Crimson Tide lost 79-73 to coach Rick Barnes’ Tennessee Volunteers at the former’s home arena, the Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
One of the most highly anticipated matchups in this year’s SEC play between two powerhouse programs, the game also marked Bediako’s return to collegiate hoops. He returned even after being drafted into the NBA previously and having spent years in the NBA G League. With this, @SECNetwork on X/Twitter showed how he got his first points on Saturday, which was with a thunderous slam.
College basketball fans online called out the governing body of the SEC and collegiate hoops as a whole for allowing Bediako to return.
“Not to be confused with Greg Byrne throwing it *back* on Sankey to allow him to play,” one user wrote.
“@GregSankey you should be ashamed,” another user said.
“What a loser coach and program,” another fan shared.
“What has happened to college sports?????,” a user questioned.
Other X users felt that the decision to allow Bediako to return and play after he was already drafted into the NBA years ago is unfair to the sport.
“This isn’t gonna be fair 😂,” one fan posted with a laughing emoji.
“Please refer to him by his full proper name NBA professional player Charles Bediako if you’re going to celebrate the stupidity of this guy playing college basketball tonight,” another fan asserted.
“He shouldn’t be allowed to play. #Rigged and #Unfair,” a user pointed out.
It was announced on Wednesday, Jan. 21, that a judge from the state of Alabama has cleared Bediako to return to collegiate basketball despite his stints in the NBA G League. This also came hours after the NCAA ruling body stated that it does not condemn returning players in the leagues. He joined a 2025-26 Alabama squad that currently has an overall record of 13-6 (3-2 SEC).
Charles Bediako Was Perfect From The Field In The First Half Of His College Basketball Return
In a show of his veteran presence and experience from already being in the NBA G League, Charles Bediako went a perfect 4-for-4 from the field with all of his scoring attempts and finished the first half with eight points.
This was capped off by the alley-oop dunk he had to finish his scoring output. Bediako now looks to help the Crimson Tide win a national title, similar to his first stint back in 2023.
Read More: ‘He Will Not Start’: Insider Offers Insight on Charles Bediako’s Playtime During Alabama-Tennessee Showdown
Also Read: Is Charles Bediako Playing Today vs. Tennessee? Alabama Center’s Status Revealed
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